Last month, a record number of firefighters from throughout California assembled in San Jose for California Professional Firefighters' 45th biennial convention.

Over the course of the four-day convention, delegates were updated on issues and efforts on their behalf by the state union. They also had the chance to learn about ongoing projects and plans for the future.

Video highlights from the 45th CPF Convention, including upcoming programs and selected speeches, are now available for viewing in the CPF website.

The Berkeley Safety Training and Education Pathway (B-STEP) is a collaborative program developed by the Berkleey Unified School District, the Berkeley Fire Department, the Berkeley Fire Fighters Association and other local community partners.

EDUCATE

Students are engaged in a supportive learning environment withenthusiastic, knowledgeable and passionate instructors. They are also matched with mentors from the Berkeley Fire Department who provide support and insight into creating a career in public safety.

EXPERIENCE

Students are placed in fire department work experience programs, hospital clinical rotations and paramedic ambulance internships to gain the necessary hands-on experience to function as integral members of the fire and emergency medical services workforce.

EMPLOYMENT

The goal of B-STEP is to prepare students for jobs that exist in local fire and emergency medical providers. B-STEPpartners with these providers and offers assistance to its students through the jobapplication and testing process.

“Our study provides clear evidence that firefighters are exposed to high levels of cancer-causing chemicals including brominated flame retardants and their combustion by-products – dioxins and furans – that are formed during fires by the burning of flame-retarded foam furniture, televisions, computers and building materials. Firefighters have much higher levels and different patterns of these chemicals in their blood than the general population. There is no doubt that firefighting is a dangerous occupation. What we have shown here points to the possible link between firefighting and cancer.”